'Would You Rather Be Right or Rich?'

The title is a quote from Dan Kennedy, although I'm sure it's been said or written many thousands of times.

As it happens, he was talking about neckties. He hates wearing them, and I'm with him all the way on that one, but when he's meeting clients, speaking at a convention or otherwise 'on duty', he always wears a smart jacket or suit and a tie.

Why? Because, as he says about a bank manager who once told him he couldn't be the chairman of a company because he wasn't wearing a tie: 'For every ten who say it, a thousand believe it'.

I popped into town with my wife this morning. I had at least shaved, but I was wearing a pair of combat trousers, an okay tee shirt and a jacket that's seen better days. Instead of just buying the one item we went for, we stopped off for a coffee and brunch. I don't think any prospective clients saw us, but you never know. Next time, I'll think a little more about the impression I'm making.

(My wife always looks lovely, needless to say...)

If you want to do better with your business, try to remember that eccentric dress and scruffiness will only win over a small minority of the people you're dealing with. Making a better, more professional impression can never hurt, it can only help.

Roy Everitt, Writing For Results